Initially when we shifted from pune to Noida we were searching for a good day care for our 3.5 year daughter, She was really happy with Kider Brook pune and we wanted something similar. On the recommendation of one of my friend whose daughter was going to Little Scholar, we zeroed on it considering that it was near to my wife's office. But maybe it was our biggest mistake and our daughter went through a horror for next couple of years.
When we initially visited the Little Scholar, we found the principal very nice, soft spoken and candid lady, however later it turned out to be just a mask to fool parents who come of new admission.She told us that they believe in discipline but maintain a balance and don't pressure kids too much. Also that they keep on changing the menu for lunch and prepare different meal every day. We were also assured by her that all the staff is trained and that we'll never have an issue. We were also assured on hygiene in general and many activities to keep the child busy . They told us that they pickup kids from school bus drop point and charge fee for that. We were told they encourage kids to play indoor and outdoor. All this was either just a bluff or partially true .
With each passing day my daughters complaints kept rising. She became too weary of going to day-care. We also started noticing changes in her attitude like she became less chirpy, often found her talking to herself, her confidence dwindled and she was afraid of dark, strangers and was fearing unknown. We also noticed she started hiding thing and felt uncomfortable talking about what she do in day care. All this was really shocking for us as we had noticed her growing into a very chirpy, outgoing, frank and outdoor kid in last 3.5 years. Earlier she was never shy or afraid. Moreover she was still winning drawing, dancing and poem recitation competition in her school in Noida. She loved her school mam but almost always refused to talk about day-care mam. All this was indicating problem with day-care. We subscribed her into dance class to reduce her interaction with day-care staff.
Also we started extracting from her why she dislike the day-care and carried this activity for more than a week every day and her major points were.
Issues that she shared that we were looking to identify
1) They do not allow us to make noise. Ask us to keep quiet. [too much discipline]
2) They do not allow us to play outside.
3) There are toys only for smaller kids and nothing for me and I can’t sit idle.
4) They always give rice or aalo puri to eat [Monotones food].
5) They force us to put the toys back in bag.(We sent toys, doll in her bag).
6) She also complained of being forced to watch TV.(Now she has developed this as a habit and she watch TV for hours even at home, we had to restrict her)
Innocent issues with no cure
1) Kids fight with me.
2) You come late from office, some kids leave before dance class
3) Why we left pune? why chikoo(her friend in pune) does not join this daycare.
Some problems that we had always faced.
1) No transparency, we were not allowed to go in and see what our kid is doing, You have ring bell and Kid will be escorted out. At max you can go up to reception.
2) Can't judge what our kids are given in lunch.
One day when she came from daycare I noticed my daughter body was very hot and I feared fever as soon as I touched her. I went home and checked with thermometer and to my surprise it was 103 degree fever. I was so shocked to see this, how come no one in daycare noticed it. Atleast the staff who change the cloths after kids come from school should have noticed. I was dismayed to see that they dont even bother to know whether the kid is sick or unwell. It simply does not matter to them. This was the point we decided to take this up and above said issues with them one by one. But on the first visit itself we got know the real face of staff. We started on a constructive note by giving them suggestions because we did not wanted to be in complain mode as it may impact their behaviour towards our daughter. But they were not at all recieptive . They were in no mood to accept anything and were of the view that they are perfect. When I finally broke the shell and told them upfront that why they did not repoted fever, I told them that they should have called us in such cases. I was surprised to know that no one in the daycare noticed it and they told me that it’s just .On other issues also they were dismissive.
After that whenever we reported an issue, they would tell that my daughter is making stories. On one occasion we complained that she has got bored of food and that they should tweak the menu or allow us to send lunch and got the reply that she eat chips in snacks everyday doesn't she get bored of that.
STAFF
They are completely closed for feedback and suggestions. moment you tell them anything they will dismiss it or will point fingers on you or your ward. Staff is very uncooperative and short tempered. Also none of them are trained in handling the kids. Little scholar also runs a Nursery teaching certification program and those students shine their skills at the expense of your kid. Maids I believe are ok as my daughter rarely complains about them, except on few occasion when she complained of being shouted at.
FACILITY
It’s around 1000 sq meter plot which has little green also but kids are rarely allowed to play outside. Pool that they even boast of on their website is simply rubbish and unusable, just check the state of pool when you go there. No outdoor or indoor swings. No means(Toys or swings or any other activity) to keep kids busy and happy. Some toys are available for toddlers(based on my daughters feedback). Take a print out of the facilities mentioned on their website and check does they really exist. Only one basket cage on one wall in the name of basketball. These are just means to fool parents.
TRANSPORT
We were told that they will pick the kid from school bus drop point in a van. This facility(Van) is present in deed but used sparingly. One day in august when my daughter reached home, we found her pant and school shoes wet. On asking she told us that the street in front of day-care was chocked and there was water logging, we asked did you come on feet from school bus drop point to day-care, she said yes. we asked her whether the didi who came to receive you had umbrella she replied in negative. Such is the level of insaneness that they forced 3.5 year kid to wade through dirty 2 feet rain water. She could have fell ill, she may have had allergies on her legs. When we complained to day-care staff, we were told that they had never promised that van will be used for pick up. when we reminded of fee they take, we were told they don’t charge for it.(I have the 1st receipt with me which mentions this charge). I told them that at least they could have used the common sense that if it’s raining they should use the van instead of forcing kids in dirty water and that too without umbrella. They were again not listening and had more excuses.
EVENING CLASSES
Only saving grace for them, as mostly they hire people from outside who teach kids. For us the dance class was a mean to keep her busy and she loved it and everything was going and suddenly they changed the dance teacher. who would teach kids classical dance. My daughter told us at home that there is new dance teacher who teaches them exercise. Exercise! well yes for her kathak is exercise, a 4 year kid can barely differentiate between kathak and exercise but that’s not schools fault. Kids want fun may be ra one chammak challo etc.
WHERE I DECIDED TO QUIT
One day my daughter was sitting with me and I was cuddling her and asked why don’t you like your day-care and what followed broke my heart that my daughter had to bear all this for this long duration. She told me that kids are shouted at and beaten up. I asked has she even been slapped or shouted at she said yes but now a days she doesn’t get slapped because she simply obey whatever they say. She said she hide her face whenever someone is slapped or shouted at. When I asked why didn’t she complain to VP, she clarified it made no difference. She also told me with teary eyes that she is afraid of mams and maids because if she or we say anything to them she will be beaten up as well and that one line that she said after little silence pierced my heart “Papa darr lagta hai”. This was the boiling point and I wanted to immediately go and teach them a lesson. My wife said moment I do this they will make life of my daughter hell. She cooled me down and suggested we find a new day care and move her out and this process will take time. Till such time keep quiet and advised my daughter as well that she shouldn’t tell anyone that we are finding new day-care. After few days we shifted her to new daycare and when we asked for security, These people said they never refund but adjust and we can get it adjusted(Receipt that I had clearly mentioned refundable security). I did not wanted my daughter to live in hell for another day, so leaving her in that day care for another month was out of question. I left the security for sake of her.
All in all a horrible experience, if you want a 3-8 hrs Jail for your kids everyday with Army style discipline go for little scholar